Clearwater Municipal Marina - 1/16/11

January 15, 2011 - Six boats that got together last night, decided to cross the Gulf together today. We had a final meeting with Buddy, the weather expert at the marina at 10 a.m. who told us to expect a good trip but we would experience 1 to 3 footers part of the night. He suggested that we travel a few miles further toward the west coast of Florida before turning south in order to use the land as a buffer for the NNE winds that are expected. We all decided to leave at 12:30 p.m. and preparations for departure started. It was quite a sight to see all six boats pull out of the marina at the same time. As we left Carrabelle River Ricki got a picture of all the boats turning the corner toward Dog Island. I was especially happy to see this day happen and really hadn't slept well in anticipation. Our little friend travelling with us wanted the first shot at driving the boat but needed a little instruction. This was a 189 mile trip expected to take 20 to 22 hours that we were extremely happy to have other boaters for company. Around 5:30 we were treated to a spectacular sun set and then it got DARK. We were the last boat in the convoy and boy did it get rough early the next morning. We couldn't see the water so we didn't really know if we were experiencing the wake from the other boats or if it really was rough so we dropped back a little over a quarter mile and discovered it really was rough. Even the auto pilot had a time keeping up with all the waves and kept trying to over correct so a big portion of the night it rested. This was definitely an experience of a lifetime running all day and night and at night all you can see is the running lights of the boats in front of you. Any movement around the boat in the dark and rough water had to be very careful. Chatter among the boats kept us company and most of the time amused us. We really made good time running most of the night at 9 1/2 MPH so we approached Clearwater just at dawn. We had been warned by other boater friends of all the crab pots and boy were they right. It was like a slalom ski event dodging them for the last 15 miles until you reach the harbor. We arrived at 9:30 a.m. safe and sound but really tired. I had called the local West Marine to check on a new 50 amp to 30 amp spliiter a couple days ago and took a cab to pick it up before hitting the sack. Tomorrow we are supposed to move over to Treasure Island marina but according to the weather report it may rain. As I sit here at 4:10 p.m. (in my shorts and t-shirt) it is 70 degrees and should be over 70 tomorrow. Life is good ... very good.

Our position is N 27 58.555 W 82 49.476